O'Malley Vetoes Bill Halting Wind Project

O'Malley Vetoes Bill Halting Wind Project

Last month, members of several environmentalist groups and some Eastern Shore farmers held a rally urging lawmakers to reject this bill that the governor vetoed. (WBAL file photo)

****THIS STORY HAS BEEN CORRECTED FROM EARLIER EDITIONS. A REPORT THAT THIS WAS THE FIRST BILL VETOED BY THE GOVERNOR WAS NOT ACCURATE.****

Governor Martin O'Malley has vetoed a bill that would have created a 13-month moratorium on the development of tall wind turbines within 56 miles of the U.S. Naval Air Station Patuxent River base.

The bill would have delayed construction on wind turbines to wait for a study on how they could affect radar use around the base.

In a veto letter sent to House Speaker Michael Busch, O'Malley said that he is committed to protecting the jobs at Pax River, but he says "there are meaningful safeguards in place that render the bill unnecessary."

He adds that the real threat to Pax River, is "not an array of wind turbines on the lower Eastern Shore...but it's rising sea levels due to climate change."

Supporters argued it was important to consider the needs of the base, a big economic engine in southern Maryland. But opponents say it sounds a bad message to businesses and harms wind farm development in Maryland.

The measure would have threatened development of a wind farm in Somerset County on the Eastern Shore.

U.S. House Minority Whip Steny Hoyer, whose district includes the Patuxent facility ,came to Annapolis this year to testify in favor of the bill.

Aides say it was the first time Hoyer came to Annapolis to testify in favor of a bill.

Leaders of several environmental groups praised O'Malley's veto.

The governor has made development of wind energy, and other alternative energy sources a priority during his administration.

Last year, the legislature approved a bill to allow the construction of wind turbines off the coast of Ocean City.

It is not known if lawmakers will consider a veto override, or when they might consider it.

A senate source told WBAL News Thursday that Senate leaders could have the power to call a special session, by circulating a petition among lawmakers.

The Senate and House would need a three-fifths majority (29 senators and 85 delegates) to approve an override.

Lawmakers could not consider the issue when they come back to session in January, because it would take place in the first year of a new legislative term.

The bill passed both chambers of the legislature with a majority larger than three-fifths, indicating there may be enough votes to support an override.

The bill passed the House of Delegates initially by a vote of 112-22 in March. The Senate amended the bill, and then passed it in April by a vote of 31-16, The House then approved the amended version of the bill by a vote of 100-24.

Statement from Adam Cohen, vice president, Pioneer Green

We appreciate the Governor’s time and energy to fully understand the issue and applaud his decision to allow wind energy project investment to move forward on the Lower Eastern Shore. Thank you to the thousands of supporters of clean energy and economic development on the Eastern Shore and across the state who took the time over the past six weeks to express their commitment for wind power’s future in Maryland. As we have said throughout the process, existing federal and state laws already contain extensive protections of the interests of PAX River, and we pledge that we will continue to work with the military to ensure our project and the base’s military testing will successfully co-exist. We look forward to moving ahead with private investment to create jobs, economic development and expanded tax revenues for Somerset County, while helping Governor O’Malley and Maryland expand the state’s homegrown renewable energy resources--creating a better future for everyone.